Method for programming new sensor in a motor vehicle monitoring system

Abstract

Data transmitted from a newly installed tire sensor is integrated into monitoring apparatus having data from previously integrated tire sensors stored therein. Each of the newly installed and previously integrated tire sensors periodically transmits a unique identification code. The method comprises placing the monitoring apparatus into a programming mode, entering the tire location of the newly installed tire sensor in the monitoring apparatus, entering a fraction of the identification code for the newly installed tire sensor in the monitoring apparatus, placing the monitoring apparatus in a comparing mode, transmitting the identification codes from the newly installed and previously integrated tire sensors to the monitoring apparatus, comparing the transmitted identification codes with the identification codes and fraction of the identification code previously stored and entered in the monitoring apparatus, storing in the monitoring apparatus the full identification code transmitted from the newly installed tire sensor if a sequential portion of the full identification code matches the previously entered fraction thereof, and switching the monitoring apparatus to an operational mode.

1. A method of integrating data transmitted from a newly installed tire sensor into monitoring apparatus having data from at least one previously integrated tire sensor stored therein, each of said newly installed and previously integrated tire sensors periodically transmitting a unique identification code, said method comprising:
 a. placing the monitoring apparatus into a programming mode; 
 b. entering a tire location of the newly installed tire sensor in the monitoring apparatus; 
 c. entering a fraction of the identification code for the newly installed tire sensor in the monitoring apparatus; 
 d. placing the monitoring apparatus in a comparing mode; 
 e. transmitting the identification codes from the newly installed and previously integrated tire sensors to the monitoring apparatus; 
 f. comparing the transmitted identification codes with the identification codes and fraction of the identification code previously stored and entered in the monitoring apparatus; 
 g. storing in the monitoring apparatus a full identification code transmitted from the newly installed tire sensor if a sequential portion of the full identification code matches the previously entered fraction thereof; and 
 h. switching the monitoring apparatus to an operational mode. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fraction of the identification code of the newly installed tire sensor entered in the monitoring apparatus is the last three alpha-numeric symbols of said identification code. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the newly installed and previously integrated tire sensors periodically transmits data concerning a pressure of the tire on which it is mounted. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3 , and further comprising the steps of entering and storing in the monitor a desired tire pressure value for each tire location. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 4 , and further comprising the step of confirming that the previous entries of tire location, tire pressure value and fraction of the tire sensor identification are correct before placing the monitoring apparatus in the comparing mode. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , and further comprising the step of determining if the fraction of the identification code entered in the monitoring apparatus matches any portion of the identification code transmitted by the newly installed tire sensor.